The Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Who doesn't love Glorious Goodwood? The elegance of linen suits and Panama hats, Pims, beautiful ladies, majestic equine. The beauty of Sussex down captures the heart of racing fans across the world. Quality horse racing of the highest calibre.
The Qatar Lennox Stakes Group 2 . A Class 1 race for three-year-old horses and older on this sweeping 7f. Named after the Duke of Lennox one of the Dukedoms of the Duke of Richmond and present owner of Goodwood Racecourse.
This race was established in 2000 and won by Observatory, trained by John Gosden.
A number of class horses have won this contest since its inauguration including Paco Boy, winning 2008 for Richard Hannon Sr. He also excelled with Toormore for Hannon Jr in 2015.
The first declaration stage of this year's race sees 35 entrants. A wealth of talented thoroughbreds including Limato, trained by Henry Candy, who has the highest official rating of 120.
Interesting to note that Godolphin has 5 horses entered: Dutch Connection, Home Of The Brave, Jungle Cat, Richard Pankhurst & Dream Castle.
One connection but a mix of trainers including Charlie Hills, Hugo Palmer, Charlie Appleby, John Gosden & Saeed bin Suroor.
Dutch Connection proved victorious last year when winning ''readily'' at 9/4f from Home Of The Brave.
If all goes to plan it, we could see this durable pair fighting out a finish once more.
The horse betting sites suggest Jungle Cat and Richard Pankhurst will be making up the numbers and most likely entered as a precaution just in case the major hopes don't make the big day.
However, the duo may not be alone as Dream Castle, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, is pretty fancied in the betting. Considering Bin Suroor has been kept in the shadows this season with Appleby taking the cream of the crop it would be just desserts for him to enjoy a timely success.
Certainly, Home Of The Brave has been in tremendous form this season winning both starts. This son of Starspangledbanner ran on gamely to win the Criterion Stakes Group 3 at Newmarket from Jungle Cat.
By contrast, Dutch Connection has been slow to find his form this season. He wasn't disgraced when racing at Royal Ascot when 6th in the Queen Anne Stakes Group 1. However, better was expected when going to the Curragh competing in the Qatar Airways Minstrel Stakes Group 2. The joint favourite finished 6th and although not beaten far it does leave a question mark.
HOME OF THE BRAVE could well prove a good each-way bet and presently priced 5/1 with leading bookmakers.
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